Staff Pick: King Pin Donuts

It's Friday night in Berkeley, and the air has an uncanny feel to it. Midterms season has taken its toll, and anxious students walk home to study for exams. During these times, all a tired student craves is a symbol of solace. As I walk down Durant, a comforting aroma reaches my nostrils: donuts. To my satisfaction, my nose leads me to the grandeur of King Pin donuts, a mecca of glazed treats. 

Photo by Jocelyn Hsu

Since my first semester at Berkeley, I have enjoyed the wide selection of glazed donuts, caramel-covered twists and other confections King Pin offers. More importantly, King Pin creates unique donuts such as the custard-filled donut, topped with chocolate icing and raspberry decorations. Each donut is made with immense care, and the process is open for any student to watch from within the shop. The donuts are oftentimes warm, since the baker is constantly making new batches for the flood of Berkeley students. My personal favorite is the glazed donut with chocolate icing, a donut so wonderful that the impending doom of my GPA evaporates into nothingness upon the first bite.

In addition, the store is always manned with a staff bursting with enthusiasm, friendliness and opinions on what donut to choose. On the late night occasions I have stopped by, an Eastern European employee greets me with an impeccable smile, a firm handshake and an invitation to sample the glory of freshly baked goods. Despite the masses of students King Pin receives daily, the staff makes an effort to encourage every student to return to the shop.

Photo by Jocelyn Hsu

Perhaps most importantly, King Pin is open until 2 am. In the life of a Berkeley student, sleep often becomes secondary to studying or downright cramming for exams. The option of tasting a delectable donut during a night of studying is truly one of the finer things Berkeley has to offer.

So what are you waiting for? Go out and enjoy a delicious donut. After all, you have all of today to study for that midterm tomorrow.

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